Date of Award
2021
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Sclinda Janssen
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the overall positive physical and mental health results patients obtain following bariatric surgery, some individuals still experience significant negative health challenges postoperatively. Researchers have asserted that the psychosocial concerns of patients that undergo bariatric surgery are not being properly addressed prior to surgery; therefore, patients are not appropriately equipped with strategies or follow-up care to promote continued weight loss and increase quality of life post-operatively (Kalarchian & Marcus, 2019). Patients who undergo bariatric surgery have experienced maladaptive eating, substance abuse, suicide and self-harm at an increased rate (Kalarchian & Marcus, 2019; Sarwer & Heinberg, 2020). Additionally, occupational therapy has been underutilized in current interprofessional bariatric care teams despite the profession’s ability to address physical and psychosocial concerns prior to and following major life events. The purpose of this scholarly project (SP) is to inform current interprofessional bariatric care teams, occupational therapy practitioners, and occupational therapy students on the skills and services that occupational therapy can provide to people with bariatric needs to promote improved patient outcomes. Along with education, the authors created resources for individuals to utilize to advocate for the inclusion of occupational therapy on more bariatric care teams.
Recommended Citation
Tarnowski, Annabelle and Skyberg, Rylee, "Occupational Therapy Joining Bariatric Care Teams: A Web-Based Resource" (2021). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 487.
https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/487